An annual report is a document prepared each year by the accountable authority of a Commonwealth entity. It contains information about the entity’s performance over the last 12 months.
Annual reports are the primary performance reporting document, including financial statements and non-financial performance information. All Commonwealth entities publish reporting documents under the Commonwealth resource management framework, with specific requirements for each document set out in the performance framework.
Purpose of annual reports
The overarching purpose of annual reports is to inform the Parliament and the public about the achievements, non-financial performance and financial position of Commonwealth entities and companies at the end of each reporting year.
The report provides a broad statement of an entity's capability and performance, including results against targets published previously for the corresponding year in the Portfolio Budget Statements.
It allows accountable authorities to report to their minister on the efficiency and effectiveness of the public administration that the minister is responsible for.
The annual report must be presented to the Parliament by the responsible Minister.
Annual report principles
When non-corporate Commonwealth entities are preparing an annual report, they should consider the following principles. An annual report should:
Be written in plain English and provide sufficient information and analysis for the Parliament to make a fully informed judgement on the entity’s performance.
Align with the overall Commonwealth resource management framework, Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013, Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Rule 2014 (PGPA Rule) and the Commonwealth performance framework.
Show the relationship between the reporting requirements within government (including corporate plans, Portfolio Budget Statements and other portfolio statements accompanying any other additional appropriation bills), and between the government and non‑government sectors.
Accountable authorities have discretion as to the extent of information to include in annual reports and the sequence in which it is presented. The requirements for information set out in the PGPA Rule must be met.
